Snape sat in his office grading his first years' essays. "Troll, Troll, Poor, Poor, Troll, Acceptable…" he mumbled.
He let out a sigh. Grading idiotic first year's essays was never a highlight to his day. Snape sifted through the essays looking for the work of Slytherins. He would rather grade their essays first than the Gryffindors.
He was halfway through checking Cyrus Bodini's paper when he heard a knock on his door. Snape looked up and saw Minerva McGonagall. "What do you want, Minerva?" he asked sourly.
He hated getting interrupted while grading his papers. Not to mention, he had enough on his plate already. "Busy, Severus?" Minerva asked with a grin.
"I'm just grading these papers," he replied coldly.
"Albus has requested you meet him in his office," Minerva McGonagall informed Snape.
Severus groaned. He had a feeling Dumbledore wanted some more information on Voldemort. "Is it about the Order?"
"He didn't say," Minerva replied.
He shuffled the essays together and placed them in a folder marked 1st years. Snape stood up and Minerva quickly left. He slowly walked towards Dumbledore's office. He really hoped their conversation wouldn't be about Malfoy or his unbreakable vow.
"Acid drops," Snape stated as he reached the gargoyle.
Personally, he thought using candy as a password was a mockery of Hogwarts security. "Enter, Severus," Albus' voice greeted him.
"Good day, Albus," Snape greeted as he took a seat.
"As you know, I trust you more than anyone else. And because of that I have a favor to ask of you."
Severus Snape knew, he just knew that he wasn't going to like this. The tone in Dumbledore's voice suggested that he already knew Snape wouldn't like it. "And what might this favor be?" Snape asked quickly.
"To kill me."
"What?" asked Snape in shock.
He couldn't believe Dumbledore was suggesting this. "Not now, of course. But, when the time is right…"
"And that will be?"
"When young Mr. Malfoy makes his move," Albus replied.
Snape quickly shook his head. "No. You're the only one who trusts me. Everyone else wonders where my loyalties lie."
"Severus, listen. You can save several lives by killing me. Draco Malfoy's for one. He will remain innocent. And you will fulfill your vow. Plus, you'll be in perfect position to help Harry defeat Voldemort."
"I can't do it!" Snape said his voice wavering.
'Not when you've given me so much. Trusted me beyond anyone else. Kept me at this school for 14 long years.'
"You must. Promise me you will. It's the only way."
"I promise."
And yet, Severus had a bad feeling about promising to kill Albus Dumbledore. "Now, I suggest you try to figure out what Mr. Malfoy is planning," Dumbledore told him as he walked out of the office.